Jalen Brunson delivered when it mattered most, draining a game-winning three-pointer with five seconds left to lift the New York Knicks to a dramatic 116-113 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. The win sealed a 4-2 series triumph for New York and punched their ticket to the second round for a third straight year.
Brunson finished with 40 points, including the final dagger — a cold-blooded shot from the top of the arc with the score tied at 113. Pistons guard Malik Beasley failed to handle the inbound pass on the ensuing possession, ending Detroit’s playoff hopes in heartbreaking fashion.
JALEN BRUNSON FROM 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE KNICKS
KNICKS ARE ADVANCING TO EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIS!!!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/sGmjcWhNdj
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2025
The Knicks were up by as many as 15 points in the first half, but Detroit clawed back to take a two-point lead at halftime. It was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts all night, and by the final quarter, the intensity hit a new level. New York held another double-digit advantage midway through the third, only to see it evaporate again in the final minutes.
Down by seven with 2:35 remaining, the Knicks responded with a stunning 11-1 run to close the game. Brunson’s late-game heroics capped a gritty team effort in a series where four of the six games were decided by three points or fewer.
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Brunson also added four rebounds and seven assists in what was arguably his most complete performance of the postseason so far. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau couldn’t hold back his praise, calling the moment “timely” and praising Brunson’s ability to deliver under pressure.
“Jalen’s shot, what can you say? He’s at his best when his best is needed,” said Thibodeau. “He’s done it all year. That’s what makes him special.”
Brunson credited his teammates and coaching staff for trusting him in big moments.
“It’s all about us staying poised and having our composure,” Brunson said after the game. “We all have each other’s backs, and I’m just thankful for my teammates and coaches. That’s how we win these close games.”
Mikal Bridges also came up big in Game 6, scoring 25 points on 68.8% shooting from the field. He was a constant threat on both ends of the floor and helped keep the Knicks afloat when the Pistons threatened to steal momentum.
In his post-game interview, Bridges kept it raw and real: “We’re built for this sh*t. That’s all it is. Stay with it, stay positive, and just stay fighting.”
The Pistons showed plenty of fight themselves. Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley led an aggressive fourth-quarter charge, and Detroit led by seven with under three minutes remaining. But the Pistons couldn’t close it out, and costly turnovers — including Beasley’s final miscue — ultimately doomed their chances.
PLAYOFF BRACKET
▪️ NYK advances to East Semis
▪️ LAC forces Game 7The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google continue Friday with HOU-GSW Game 6 at 9:00pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/Z47mZwg2hm
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2025
Despite their exit, Detroit can take heart in a series that went toe-to-toe with one of the East’s elite. Meanwhile, the Knicks now turn their focus to the next round, where defending champions Boston Celtics await in what promises to be a blockbuster Eastern Conference semifinal clash.
The Knicks’ clutch mentality, sparked by Brunson’s brilliance and supported by Bridges’ consistency, gives them real momentum heading into that heavyweight battle.
